WO2004071372A1

WO2004071372A1 - Vagina stimulator

Info

Publication number: WO2004071372A1
Application number: PCT/NO2004/000016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Birger Orten
Original assignee: Meditron Asa
Priority date: 2003-02-14
Filing date: 2004-01-21
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: NO20030716D0

Abstract

A stimulator device for the vagina is provided in the form of a unit (1) that is insertable into the vagina and has a wall (6) of elastic material. At least part of the wall (6) is coated by a piezoelectric film (2), which piezoelectric film is driven by a built-in driver circuit (3) and battery (4), to produce stimulating vibrations.

Description

Vagina stimulator

The present invention relates to a means for providing increased sexual enjoyment for women having an inhibited sexual function, or an aid for achieving an enhanced or more rapidly obtained orgasm in connection with sexual activity.

The classical remedies for women in connection with genital stimulation, are penis substitutes with or without a vibration function, and balls that can be inserted to provide a massage effect and that can be pulled out by means of a thread.

The present invention is a novel device that brings to the market place a further option with regard to such sexual stimulation. The means in accordance with the invention also provides the advantage that stimulation may be effected at frequencies that cannot be implemented in a simple manner with today's techniques (some of these frequencies have a positive influence on the so-called "Female Sexual Dysfunction", FSD), and furthermore, coitus can be performed while the stimulator is in position.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there is provided a vagina stimulator in the form of a unit that can be inserted in the vagina and having at least one wall of an elastic material, at least part of the unit wall including a piezoelectric material with voltage supply electrodes, the electrodes being connected to a microelectronic driver circuit built into the unit wall together with a battery.

Preferably, the unit is form-cast to be adapted for placing at particularly sensitive areas of the vagina.

The unit may be shaped as an approximately hyperbolic tubular sleeve adapted to the opening and the forward part of the vagina, and the piezoelectric material may then be positioned to engage the clitoris.

Alternatively, the unit may be shaped as a basin-like surface, and adapted to the shape of the vagina inside at the G-point area, and the piezoelectric material may then be positioned on the unit wall so as to engage the G-point area.

In a preferred embodiment, the piezoelectric material is constituted by a piezoelectric film. At least part of the piezoelectric material may be arranged on an inside surface of the unit wall, with regard to stimulation of a sexual partner also.

At least part of the piezoelectric material may be arranged inside the bulk of the unit wall.

In one embodiment, at least part of the unit wall may be designed to constitute a contraception barrier.

In an alternative embodiment, the insertable unit is shaped like a substantially discshaped wall encircled by an anatomically adapted bulb or collar of an elastic material. Preferably, the bulb has a stable shape like a deformed oval, and the wall may have a stable shape with a certain deflection relative to a flat surface.

The driver circuit may be equipped with an input for connecting a cable from an external unit for supplying power and possibly for control of operation.

In order to provide a better understanding of the present invention, the invention and its embodiments shall be discussed and described in closer detail in the following, and in this connection it is referred to the appended drawings, of which,

Figs. 1 and 2 show schematical sketches of embodiments of the stimulator in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 3 shows, in cross-section through a female pelvis area, one possible specific placing of the stimulator in accordance with the invention, and a correspondingly specific shape of the stimulator,

Fig. 4 shows, in a corresponding manner as in Fig. 3, an alternative placing and a corresponding shape of the stimulator in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 5 shows a little more clearly, in views from above and from the side respectively, the stimulator shape used in Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 shows an alternative design of the stimulator in accordance with the invention. The device in accordance with the invention will be a stimulating remedy for women who desire enhanced pleasure, or women who, from various reasons, have a diminished sexual function. It will be possible to place the device in various ways inside the vagina, and the device may be shaped/designed in manners corresponding thereto, in particular this relates to two substantially different placings/shapes. Nevertheless, the device will have the same technical function, but will be able to stimulate in different places, dependent on placing and shape.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the device will quite generally consist of a unit 1 preferably in the form of a sleeve with a wall 6, a piezoelectric material 2, a microelectronic circuit 3, and a battery 4. The sleeve 1 will be made from moulded rubber, silicone, polyurethane or some other suitable rubber or rubber-like material with a memory effect.

The piezoelectric material 2 may be any type to be found in the market, but PVDF (polyvinylidenefluoride) is a preferred material. In Figs. 1 and 2, the piezoelectric material, in the form of piezoelectric films, is placed on the surface of the rubber sleeve, and has positions and sizes adapted to the placing of the stimulator and the vagina areas to be stimulated. In Figs. 1 and 2, the sleeve has a shape substantially similar to a tube, but in two areas thereof it has actually an approximately hyperbolic tube shape (i.e. the tubular part is expanded toward both ends). For example, a relatively small forward part of the stimulator exterior may be covered by a piezoelectric film, namely in the area where the device will engage the clitoris. However, the intention is not to provide any limitation as to which parts of the stimulator surface shall be coated by a piezoelectric film, nor with regard to how large those parts should be. There is nothing in the way of coating almost the complete surface by a film. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, four "strategically" placed areas are shown having piezoelectric material.

Furthermore, the piezoelectric material must not necessarily be placed on the outer surface of the unit, i.e. with a direct engagement to the surfaces of the vagina area. It may be of interest to have a somewhat weaker effect, by having the piezoelectric material/the film embedded in the bulk of the wall 6 of the unit, and also a placing of the piezoelectric material on the inside of e.g. such a hyperbolically tubular sleeve as mentioned above, may be of interest. The actual thickness of the sleeve wall 6 will decide how strongly the effect of the vibrations from the piezoelectric material will be perceived. Further, in Figs. Tand 2 appears a microelectronic circuit 3 that is embedded in the wall material of the unit. It may optionally be situated on the inside, if the unit has such a sleeve shape as shown. Thin (not shown) conductors run from the circuit 3 to the piezoelectric films 2, i.e. to electrodes at both sides of the films. Hence, the films can be excited by oscillating voltage from the driver circuit 3, so as to provide mechanical vibrations for stimulation. Regarding frequencies, the driver circuit 3 may be adapted to supply anything from low-frequency signals (i.e. within the audio range) to high-frequency oscillations (ultrasound). In particular, the frequency ranges 50-100 Hz and approximately 30-40 kHz are of interest with regard to influencing sexual dysfunction (FSD). The circuit 3 can be made in many ways, for instance as an ASIC circuit, an FPGA circuit, a hybrid circuit or in the form of separate components.

The microelectronic driver circuit 3 receives power from a battery 4 that is also embedded together with or next to circuit 3. Any type of battery with sufficient power and suitable size may be used, for instance a paper battery, a flexible battery or a more ordinary watch battery. Turn-on may be effected for instance by means of a switch, a sensor, when a battery is inserted or in any other conceivable manner for activating an electronic circuit.

The difference between the embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is that Fig. 1 shows a "bag-shaped" sleeve embodiment of the unit, i.e. with one end closed, while Fig. 2 shows an embodiment with a sleeve that is open at both ends. These variations are discussed further later.

In Fig. 3 appears an approximately hyperbolic tube shape of the stimulator, inserted into the vagina. The way the stimulator is placed in this case, it engages the clitoris at the outer end, and a particularly favourable design is then that the area of the stimulator that engages this part, is equipped with piezoelectric material (film) 2. In this case, the sleeve is placed inside the vagina as a tube in the opening and the forward part of the vagina. Then, a penis may be also be entered in the sleeve opening for coitus. Technical remedies of vibrating or non-vibrating type can also be inserted in the opening. Such a sleeve of an elastic rubber material will also protect the vagina walls against scratches, wounds and other types of unpleasantness. It is to be noted that with such a design as mentioned here, a penis will of course also feel the effect of the stimulator vibrations during coitus, to a larger or lesser degree depending on how the piezoelectric material is placed inside or on the sleeve wall, and of course provided that vibration is going on. With the shape that has been selected here, it appears that the rearward/inner part of the unit may also be equipped with a piezoelectric film piece, in order to stimulate the so-called G-point area situated further into the vagina.

At one end or both ends of the sleeve-like unit, possibly also in intermediate positions (compare Figs. 1 and 2), there is preferably arranged a bulb/collar 5 of an elastic material, for instance rubber. The bulb 5 is shaped like a ring, an oval or somewhat deformed oval, depending on its intended location. The shape is adapted to the anatomy at the place of interest. The bulb/bulbs may be squeezed together for insertion, but will flatten out and assume the actual and adapted shape when it/they land in the intended position.

In some embodiments, the unit is adapted for a deep placing, i.e. all the way in toward the mouth of the uterus, and it is of interest to equip also parts that will engage sensitive zones surrounding the mouth of the uterus, with piezoelectric material to provide stimulation there. Also the lower/outer part of the cervix can be stimulated. In an embodiment of a sleeve unit with such deep placing, and where a contraception barrier is desirable at the same time, the sleeve may be closed at its end to be placed innermost, for instance by an end wall in the circular area inside a bulb of the type mentioned above, or with an "end bag" such as shown in Fig. 1. Such an embodiment may be somewhat similar to the so-called "femidom", with a front opening approximately at the vagina opening and in such a manner that a penis can be entered into the sleeve while it is in place, and coitus can be accomplished using the sleeve as a contraceptive, while at the same time there is a possibility for stimulating vaginal zones and possibly also the penis.

In a corresponding embodiment for deep placing, a sleeve unit is shorter, but intended for use in the inner area from the G-point area to the zones that surround the mouth of the uterus, however not with a front part to give an opportunity for coitus. It is noted that end bulbs of such a sleeve unit may be strongly slanted relative to an imagined "sleeve axis", in order to provide an anatomical adaptation in these areas.

In the example appearing in Fig. 4, another shape is used for the unit, namely like a folded-in, collapsed tube so as to provide a shape like a domed surface to the unit. In Fig. 5 is shown an example of how to fold the ends of a tube inward, so as to provide a cup-shape. Such as shown in Fig. 4, the cup surface may then be inserted into the vagina in such a manner that it will be lying under pressure between the pubic bone and the mouth of the uterus, and in such a manner that it engages the G-point area, and a piezoelectric material (film) area will then be placed "strategically" on the cup surface in such a manner that the film engages the G-point area. It appears from Fig. 4 that the unit lies under tension, so as to make the stimulation toward the G-point area as good as possible.

Another embodiment appears in Fig. 6, namely a unit in the form of a surface or wall 6' of elastic material, for instance rubber, encircled by an elastic ring or bulb 5', and having a piezoelectric material, preferably a film 2, arranged on at least part of the inner surface/wall 6'. (In the drawing, a film 2 is shown that covers the complete wall 6'.) A driver circuit 3 and a battery 4 are arranged in wall 6', for example in a transition zone between the inner surface and the bulb. Bulb/ring 5' may be circular, but is preferably shaped so as to be anatomically adapted to inner areas of the vagina. In other words, the complete unit can be bent and squeezed together during insertion, and thereafter expand again to the correct and anatomically adapted shape when it has been brought to its correct position inside the vagina. This adapted anatomical shape may be oval, elliptical or deformed oval, for instance an oval with one "side" pushed inward.

A unit of the last mentioned type mat possibly also have a contraceptive function rather like a diaphragm, through an adapted design and placing innermost towards the mouth of the uterus. But with regard to the main function, namely vibration stimulation, also this embodiment, with an adapted bulb shape, can be placed in other positions in the vagina, for instance at the G-point area.

Claims

1. Vagina stimulator in the form of a unit (1) for insertion into the vagina and having at least one wall (6) of elastic material, characterized in that at least part of the unit wall (6) includes a piezoelectric material (2) with voltage supply electrodes, said electrodes being connected to a microelectronic driver circuit (3) built into the unit wall (6) together with a battery (4).

2. The stimulator of claim 1 , characterized in that said unit (1) is moulded for adaptation to placing at particularly sensitive parts of the vagina.

3. The stimulator of claim 2, characterized in that said unit (1) is shaped like an approximately hyperbolic tubular sleeve adapted to the opening and front part of the vagina.

4. The stimulator of claim 3, characterized in that said piezoelectric material (2) is arranged to engage the clitoris.

5. The stimulator of claim 2, characterized in that said unit (1) is shaped as a basin-like surface, adapted to the shape of the vagina interior at the G-point area.

6. The stimulator of claim 5, characterized in that said piezoelectric material (2) is arranged on the unit wall (6) to engage the G-point area.

7. The stimulator of claim 1, characterized in that said piezoelectric material is a piezoelectric film (2).

8. The stimulator of claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of the piezoelectric material is arranged on an inside surface of the wall (6) of the unit with regard to stimulating a sexual partner also.

9. The stimulator of claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of the piezoelectric material is arranged inside the bulk of the unit wall (6).

10. The stimulator of claim 1 , characterized in that at least part of the wall (6) of the unit is designed to constitute a contraception barrier.

11. The stimulator of claim 2, characterized in that said unit (1) is shaped like a substantially discshaped wall (6') encircled by an anatomically adapted bulb (5') of elastic material.

12. The stimulator of claim 11 , characterized in that said bulb (5') has a stable shape like a deformed oval.

13. The stimulator of claim 11 , characterized in that said wall (6') has a stable shape with a certain deflection relative to a flat surface.

14. The stimulator of claim 1, characterized in that said driver circuit (3) is equipped with an input for connecting a cable from an external unit for supplying power and possibly for control of operation.